Chapter 61: Surveying the Progress

Author: zeusfluff.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. But I do own all originals. Date Started: 2/1/24. Date Finished: 2/4/24. Enjoy!

"Eddie you can't be in here. Paint fumes. Not good for you or the baby. Besides, I thought I said you shouldn't be climbing the stairs."

Eddie pursed her lips at Jamie and stepped out of the room, but not before looking at him in the eye.

"Sea foam green babe, and I really would like the border trim to be those cute little elephants I saw in that magazine the other day."

Jamie just smiled and nodded his head, Danny kept on painting. Danny gave him a smirk as Eddie left the room.

"Smooth kid. Linda about had my head when I painted Jack's nursery Cerulean blue instead of Royal blue. Plus it was the most expensive paint from the store. She was understandably upset. I had to go back to the store and exchange the Cerulean blue for Royal blue."

Jamie smirked and clapped a hand on Danny's shoulder.

"The things we do to make our wives happy."

Danny shook his head.

"Eh, if only you knew kid. Let's just say Eddie's very passionate about what she wants. Say, she's about a week out now, you going to deliver that handsome boy too? You've got a track record kid."

Jamie raised an eyebrow at Danny and stopped mid-stroke with his third coat of paint.

"Well, I hadn't planned on it, but if it comes down to it, then yes. A week early is basically on time. So any day now."

Danny shrugged his shoulders.

"Eh, my kid brother the baby doctor will have the last say in the matter. 5,000 babies. I have a hard time wrapping my head around that. Be proud of that achievement baby bro. In my book, its like earning your gold shield."

Jamie put down his brush and looked at Danny.

"Danny Reagan, is that an actual compliment?"

Danny again shrugged his shoulders.

"Eh. You're welcome."

The two were distracted from their conversation when Eddie showed up, leaning heavily against the door frame. She was out of breath and sweat was beginning to form on her brow.

"Jamie. My water broke…"

Jamie dropped his brush in the drip pan and wiped his hands on a rag.

"Let's get you away from these paint fumes. How far apart are the contractions?"

Jamie led Eddie away from the nursery and out into the hallway, he turned his head momentarily towards Danny.

"Jamie go. Get her to the hospital. Don't worry about me. I'll clean up in here. You're gonna do great Eddie."

As the couple got to the bottom of the stairs, Eddie gripped the banister and sucked in a breath and let it out slowly.

"Here comes another one…"

Her right hand on the banister, and the left was gripping Jamie's in a vice grip. With his free hand, he rubbed her back in large circles.

"That's it babe. Just keep breathing. Coming down in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. There we go. That's it. Can you stand? Can you walk?"

Eddie nodded and held onto Jamie who led her out the front door towards the car and into the passenger side of the Chevelle. As they pulled up to a traffic light some minutes later, Eddie let out a scream and cried harder, turning her pain fueled rant towards Jamie.

"This is your fault I'm like this! I hate you!"

Jamie took everything in stride and ran a hand up and down her left arm, doing his best to comfort her.

"I know it hurts babe. I'm right here, ok? Just keep breathing."

Eddie managed a nod and kept breathing. Another one hit as they pulled into the emergency entrance to Saint Victor's. Jumping out of the car, Jamie went around to the passenger's side and helped her into a wheelchair Mara brang out.

"Doctor Reagan. I didn't expect to see you. Let's get her inside. Remember to breathe Eddie. That's it. Let's get you inside and settled."

Eddie held onto Jamie's hand tight.

"Don't you dare go anywhere Jamie! Stay with me! Please!"

Jame knelt down and kissed Eddie's belly.

"I've got to park the car. I'll be a few minutes."

Eddie gave a flustered sigh and Mara wheeled her in through the Emergency room. She felt tears coming to her eyes.

"Mara, I'm scared."

Mara gave her words of reassurance as they entered the empty elevator.

"Everything's going to be just fine Eddie. Just try and relax and keep breathing."

Eddie was trying her best to stay calm, but it was difficult and at times it was hard to breathe. Mara helped her into bed as soon as she got into a room. Soon, Linda and Erin had showed up. Eddie looked at both of her sister in-laws and smiled.

"What are you two doing here?"

Linda and Erin both smiled at Eddie and were by her side. Linda was the first to speak.

"We both got a text from Jamie saying that you were in the hospital. So he's on his way?"

Eddie nodded and winced as the machine next to the bed went off and she felt a contraction rip through her.

"Yes! Oh my god! Son of a bitch! That really hurts!"

Both women helped Eddie lean forward but it was Erin that was the first to speak.

"It's ok Eddie. Just breathe. You're almost done with this contraction, ok? Just keep breathing."

Eddie appreciated that Linda and Erin were there with her, but she felt very vulnerable right now. She looked to Linda.

"Where's Jamie?"

Linda smoothed some hair away from Eddie's face.

"He's coming Eddie. It's ok honey. Just keep breathing. We're right here. We're not going anywhere."

Eddie shook her head and let out a sob.

"No, it's too soon! He's not ready!"

Linda squeezed Eddie's hand and reassured her.

"A week early is still considered on time Eddie. He may have to stay here a few days, but we'll just wait and see huh? Did your water already break?"

Eddie nodded her head furiously and leaned back against the pillows behind her as the contraction wound down.

"Yes. When we were at home. I'm thirsty."

Linda gave Eddie a sympathetic look and nodded.

"I know you are Eddie. Want some ice?"

Eddie only reluctantly nodded her head and took a piece of ice from the plastic cup.

"Thanks Linda. It's so hot in here. Where's Jamie?"

Another contraction presented itself just as Jamie entered the room.

"I'm here babe. Breathe through the contraction. That's it. Thanks for being here for her Linda. Erin. Do you want to stay? You could be her cheer squad."

Erin shook her head.

"This is your time, Jamie. You and Eddie need to experience this big life event. Seeing your own child being born is something very personal. I've already gone through it. I'll give you two some privacy. You've got this Eddie."

Eddie gave Erin a smile.

"Oh, Erin you don't have to go. I would love to have you in my rooting section. I could use all the encouragement I can get. Please stay. You were a really big help when Cora was being born."

Erin squeezed Eddie's hand again and shook her head.

"You are doing great. When you invite the rest of the family in later, I would like to hold him first."

Eddie nodded.

"I think I can make that happen Erin. Thank you for being there for me. You don't know what that means to me."

Erin nodded and left the room. Linda was still there with Jamie and Eddie.

"I'm not going anywhere Eddie. Jamie and I are in your rooting section. How are you doing? Did you want an epidural?"

Eddie nodded her head seriously.

"I definitely want one. After the excruciating pain I was in with Cora during her birth, I want one while I deliver Patrick. Jamie, can't you just…"

Eddie had turned her attention towards Jamie and gave him an expectant look.

"Eddie, it's not my place. I'm not your doctor. I'll call Doctor Carollson ok? She can check your progress."

Eddie gave a flustered sigh.

"You know I'm not good at sitting still and waiting Jamie. I just want to get this show on the road. I want to hold him in my arms."

Jamie could see Eddie was on edge and uncomfortable. Sighing, he knew he had to make a decision, though he wasn't sure he should.

"Eddie look, I know your uncomfortable and your scared, but everything is going to be alright. I promise. If Doctor Carollson isn't here in say 10 minutes, I'll check ok? Right now, I want you to relax and keep taking deep breaths."

Eddie nodded but she felt frazzled. Linda held out the cup of ice for her and Eddie took another piece, popping it in her mouth.

"Mmm. I need an air conditioner. I'm so hot right now…"

Jamie rifled through a drawer under a counter and found a pack of 4x4's. Opening them, he took a couple and began wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"That'll go away after you've given birth. Your body is working in overdrive right now. Patrick is doing just fine; his heart rate is still in the 160's. He's healthy."

Eddie nodded. Taking a deep breath, she let it out and placed as hand on her belly and rubbed it.

"Mommy loves you so much baby boy. Do me one favor for me though? Please don't hurt me on the way out?"

Jame gave a kiss to Eddie's forehead and placed a hand over hers on top of her belly.

"He's going to come out just fine babe."

Nodding again, Eddie gave a small but unsure smile.

"I just want him to be ok…"

Jamie nodded and looked at his watch and then correlated with the clock on the wall.

"He will be babe. I promise. I'm going to wash my hands. Linda, can you watch the door?"

Linda looked at him and frowned.

"Jamie, are you sure this is a good idea?"

Jamie finished washing his hands and dried them. Putting on a mask and a pair of gloves he looked Eddie in the eye.

"I'm just taking care of Eddie like I would if she were one of my own patients. I'll be quick Ed. I promise."

Linda nodded and looked to Eddie and gave her reassuring words of encouragement.

"Ok Eddie, let's put your knees up. There we go. Take nice, easy deep breaths. That's it."

Eddie could barely see the top of Jamie's head when he looked up and over the sheet.

"Your 10 centimeters dilated Ed. It's time to start pushing."

A look of surprise came across Eddie's face, and she locked eyes with Jamie's cool and calm one's.

"What? I thought there was more time… I mean I know my water broke and that usually doesn't leave much time… But so soon? Where's Mara and Sabrina?"

Jamie gave Eddie a sympathetic look behind his mask.

"Each birth after the first happens quicker. Now I want you to focus on me. Take a deep breath and give me a push. Good. That's it. Good. You're doing so good sweetheart."

Linda helped Eddie lean forehead and wiped some sweat away from her forehead.

"Good girl. Give one more push. The head is almost out ok? Good. Almost there."

Eddie let out a sob and plopped her head against the pillow.

"I can't! It hurts!"

Jamie looked up for a brief moment and nodded at her, his gaze softening.

"Yes, you can. The head is almost out babe. Now I know it hurts, but one more push and we'll be to the shoulders, I promise. Give me another push baby. One more! Good. One more! Ok, here come the shoulders! Ok here we go sweetheart, and he's… Out!"

Eddie felt tears come to her eyes and begin to fall down her cheeks. She heard Patrick's cries fill the room and she felt a sob bubble up in her throat and escape her mouth. She watched as Jamie held the screaming little boy over the sheet so that Eddie could see him.

"Jamie! He's so handsome!"

Linda squeezed Eddie's hand and went to quickly wash her hands. Drying them, she pulled some gloves on and helped Jamie cut Patrick's umbilical cord. Linda carefully took Patrick from Jamie and placed him on top of Eddie's chest. His screams became mere whimpers as he opened up his eyes and looked as if he were looking straight up at Eddie. She leaned her head down and kissed his forehead.

"Hi baby boy. I'm your mommy Eddie. The guy at the other end of the bed here is the one who delivered and held you for the first time. That's your daddy Jamie. There next to him is your Aunt Linda. You're so handsome. You look just like your daddy."

Jamie stayed at the foot of the bed, there were still things that had to be done. He knew he was in hot water. As far as hospital policy went.

To Be Continued…

A/N: So, what'd you guys think? Let me know! Thanks!